Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

My kid is 5 and has been to:

- Disney several times
- England
- Italy
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- NYC a lot, as my parents live there
- Arizona a lot, as the in-laws live there

This December, we’re taking her to Paris. Next December, we’re going on a Disney Cruise.

Turns out, going to other places and going to Disney isn’t mutually exclusive, despite what DCUM thinks.

Okay? I never went to Disney and I had a perfectly fine American upbringing, thanks.

Congrats! Just stop acting as though those of us who go to Disney a lot are somehow not able to go elsewhere. You all try to flex on all the places you’ve gone, as though those of us who go to Disney a lot never go elsewhere.

That wasn't me. I could give you a listing of all the places I haven't been, starting with the Caribbean etc. My parents certainly did not take us international travel as children. We did a lot of camping and historical sites within a 10-hour driving radius of our city. The point is to say any one thing is required for an American upbringing, to understand America, etc, is just stupid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

My kid is 5 and has been to:

- Disney several times
- England
- Italy
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- NYC a lot, as my parents live there
- Arizona a lot, as the in-laws live there

This December, we’re taking her to Paris. Next December, we’re going on a Disney Cruise.

Turns out, going to other places and going to Disney isn’t mutually exclusive, despite what DCUM thinks.

Okay? I never went to Disney and I had a perfectly fine American upbringing, thanks.

Congrats! Just stop acting as though those of us who go to Disney a lot are somehow not able to go elsewhere. You all try to flex on all the places you’ve gone, as though those of us who go to Disney a lot never go elsewhere.

Not the point of this thread. We know some people like it. Some don’t. The question is would she regret not going. Hard to argue that there is true regret to be had if you don’t make it to one very expensive and stressful theme park.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

My kid is 5 and has been to:

- Disney several times
- England
- Italy
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- NYC a lot, as my parents live there
- Arizona a lot, as the in-laws live there

This December, we’re taking her to Paris. Next December, we’re going on a Disney Cruise.

Turns out, going to other places and going to Disney isn’t mutually exclusive, despite what DCUM thinks.

Okay? I never went to Disney and I had a perfectly fine American upbringing, thanks.

Congrats! Just stop acting as though those of us who go to Disney a lot are somehow not able to go elsewhere. You all try to flex on all the places you’ve gone, as though those of us who go to Disney a lot never go elsewhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

This is a person who didn’t plan.

Op you should go, but, you need to research and plan it, makes the experience much better.

Some people like trips where you don’t have to plan every detail months in advance.

Disney World doesn’t make you plan months in advance. The only thing you even *can* do months in advance is:

- purchase your tickets and reserve one park per day
- make your hotel reservations
- 60 days out, make dining reservations

That’s it.

That’s still crazy (to me)! I’m just not a big planner, so Disney is a nightmare.

You can also just wait and make dining reservations within 24 hours of when you want to go. Lots of people cancel last minute. So the 60 days thing is a choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

Don’t think they are mutually exclusive. We lived abroad for four years. Still think Disney experience is important to understanding America.

God I hope not. What a depressing sentiment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

My kid is 5 and has been to:

- Disney several times
- England
- Italy
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- NYC a lot, as my parents live there
- Arizona a lot, as the in-laws live there

This December, we’re taking her to Paris. Next December, we’re going on a Disney Cruise.

Turns out, going to other places and going to Disney isn’t mutually exclusive, despite what DCUM thinks.

Okay? I never went to Disney and I had a perfectly fine American upbringing, thanks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

This is a person who didn’t plan.

Op you should go, but, you need to research and plan it, makes the experience much better.

No amount of planning can make Disney palatable to someone who just doesn't enjoy what it offers. I'm in that camp. To me, it's a complete waste of time and money, even if I plan 6 months in advance. For the same amount of money that I spent in Disney (or less), I've taken my kids to Europe, US national parks road trip, and the Caribbean. Disney, in my view, just doesn't compare. This is, of course, subjective. Some people prefer Orlando and asphalt to the Alps. I get it. However, I wanted to let OP know that there are those who can go an entire lifetime without going to Disney and they may even be the better for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

Don’t think they are mutually exclusive. We lived abroad for four years. Still think Disney experience is important to understanding America.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

This is a person who didn’t plan.

Op you should go, but, you need to research and plan it, makes the experience much better.

Most people do not want to spend months before a trip setting alarms to book specific rides or checking if reservations have opened and being glued to their phone the whole day at the park stalking ride passes.

It’s also expensive to get those lightening lanes/genie plus and not everyone can afford it. I don’t think there’s many people who argue that Disney world isn’t typically hot and crowded and yes there are lines even with the lightening lanes. We waited 20 minutes even in lightening lanes for some popular rides (the avatar one.) a 90 minute wait a few times a day would drive most kids crazy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

This is a person who didn’t plan.

Op you should go, but, you need to research and plan it, makes the experience much better.

Some people like trips where you don’t have to plan every detail months in advance.

Disney World doesn’t make you plan months in advance. The only thing you even *can* do months in advance is:

- purchase your tickets and reserve one park per day
- make your hotel reservations
- 60 days out, make dining reservations

That’s it.

That’s still crazy (to me)! I’m just not a big planner, so Disney is a nightmare.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

My kid is 5 and has been to:

- Disney several times
- England
- Italy
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- NYC a lot, as my parents live there
- Arizona a lot, as the in-laws live there

This December, we’re taking her to Paris. Next December, we’re going on a Disney Cruise.

Turns out, going to other places and going to Disney isn’t mutually exclusive, despite what DCUM thinks.

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine my kids meeting their freshman roommate and they review their childhoods together. My kid doesn’t have to be wonder boy/girl but I would like them to have felt cared for and loved and had some middle class experiences. Also not to feel ‘left out’ when the conversation turns to summers…I loath Disney and all it stands for as a company - I worked for ABC News when they took them over - but still took my kids. It is a quintessential American experience whether you want to admit it or not. I would spend the money and go - even if you feel ripped.

My kids have been all over the US and have gone to several foreign countries, plus several more low-key amusement parks. They’ve never asked to go to Disney and I don’t think they’ll miss it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

This is a person who didn’t plan.

Op you should go, but, you need to research and plan it, makes the experience much better.

Some people like trips where you don’t have to plan every detail months in advance.

Disney World doesn’t make you plan months in advance. The only thing you even *can* do months in advance is:

- purchase your tickets and reserve one park per day
- make your hotel reservations
- 60 days out, make dining reservations

That’s it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

Totally get your opinion on Disney, but “subpar rides”? What?

The rides are essentially glorified conveyor belts where you’re forced into dark tunnels to watch lame animatronics. I also hate the staring at a movie screen while you sit in a chair effect for the others. I like real rollercoasters and Disney doesn’t cut it so the park would never be worth it for me

Disney doesn’t try to do big rollercoasters. That isn’t the point.

Have you been on Rise of the Resistance? Incredible ride.

OP, Harry Potter is at Universal, not Disney World.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not missing out on anything. It’s an overpriced theme park that doesn’t offer much beyond hours in line, heat, terrible crowds, and subpar rides. Food is awful and I will never understand the hype. If you are not a fan of theme parks, there is zero draw or reason to be there. Save your money for places that really matter to you.

This is a person who didn’t plan.

Op you should go, but, you need to research and plan it, makes the experience much better.

Some people like trips where you don’t have to plan every detail months in advance.